Method of and means for ventilating thread processing apparatus



Nov. 7 1944. L. s. FRYER ETAL METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR VENTILATING THREAD PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 20, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l- Snuento:

RICHARD BmaMA/v/v Patented Nov. 7, 1944 uumzo STATES PATENT *orrics METHOD OF MEANS FOR VENTILATING THREAD PROCESSING APPARATUS Louis S. Fryer, Cleveland, and Richard F. Bergmann, Lakewood, Ohio, assignors to Industrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corpora- I tlon of Delaware Application December 20, 1941, Serial No. 423,826

11 Claims.

The instant invention relates to methods of and means ifor ventilating apparatus for the production and processing of thread or the like,

especially artificial silk thread. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved method of and means for ventilating such apparatus from a point above the spinning section thereof. .For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in connection with a machine devoted to the manufacture of multiple filament viscose artificial silk thread according to a process generally similar to that'shown, described and claimed in Knebusch et a1. Patent No. 2,225,642.

In apparatus of the type disclosed in said patent, operations are classifiable into three main classes; namely, spinning, processing, and finishing the thread.

Of these, the spinning operation is advantageously conducted toward the top portion ofthe apparatus. The processing of the thread, which takes place in the intermediate portion of the structure, involves the subjection of the thread to a plurality of individual treating operations varying in number according to the character of the product desired. The finishing operations. which include the steps of drying, twisting and packaging the thread, are accomplished to bestadvantage toward the lowermost portion of the apparatus.

In view of the fact that vapors are evolved in certain of the operations entering into the production of the thread, the desirability'of ventilating the apparatus as a whole can be appreciated. At the same time, however, the maintenance of uniform processing conditions is important to the .achievementof the fullest benefits of the apparatus. In these respects the present invention is particularly advantageous, more especially in that it insures thecontinuance of uniform atmospheric conditions in thevicinity of the apparatus. Moreover, it makes possible a distribution" of fresh air among the several operating levels of the machine, as may be desired to produce most effective results.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a partial side elevation of apparatus embodying the invention, while Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken along line 2-2 of Fi ure 1.

In the illustrated apparatus, threads a are formed by the extrusion of viscose from spinnerets 5 into a coagulating bath 6 contained in spin trough 1. After having been withdrawn from bath 6, each thread a passes through a suitable guide 8 to a thread-advancing reel "of lowermost end of passageway SL'thread a is di-.

rected to the first of a series of reels II to IS, inclusive, to each of which the thread passes in sequence. Like reel I, each of reels H to IS, inclusive, is adapted to accept the thread at its sup,- ported end, store it in a. plurality of generally helical turns, and discharge it from its unsupported end.

Reels H to [5, inclusive, of each series are arranged in vertically stepped relation with the discharge end of each reel in apposite relation to the receiving end of its successor so that thread may pass readily from one reel to another. The axes of the reels are substantially horizontally disposed; consequently, the discharge ends of all oi? the reels in each series extend in the same direction. The several series of reels may be advantageously arranged in'two inclined banks in the manner disclosed in the aforementioned Knebusch et a1. Patent 2,225,642.

desired, be applied to the thread on reel H. No

Mildly acidic liquids heated considerably above room temperatures are applied to the thread on reels I I and I2. Reel I3 is devoted to a desulphurizing operation. Reel ll serves'as a washing stage. The thread is bleached on reel l5, after which it iswashed on reel I6. An oil emulsion or other similar conditioning compound may, if

treating step is performed while the thread is stored upon reel I8, any excess liquid adhering to the thread being permitted to drip therefrom before the thread passes to drying reel IS.

The processing liquids employed in the various treating operations are applied to the thread by means of distributors22. Pipe 23, supplies the liquor from a suitable source (not shown) to distributors 22 associated with reels l I. Distributors 22 showering liquid upon the thread stored on each of reels l2 to H, inclusive, are supplied with treating liquid from conduits 2, each of which is formed as an integral part of the collecting trouih 2! for the reel disposed immediately 1 above.

, ations are reached from the floor level.

Collecting troughs 25, which are of the type shown, described and claimed in Jordan Patent 2,226,497, serve to collect the liquid dripping from the reels and to direct it either to the sewer or to suitable recirculating means.

Drying reels l9 are similar to the various other reels in respect of mode of operation but are constructed after the'manner of the reel shown. described and claimed-in Torrence et a1. Patent 2,217,716. Each is heated internally as, for example, by the circulation of a heated fluid through the interior of the reel. The heated fluid is supplied to and removed from the reel by means of a hollow drive shaft connected to conduits 26 and 21. Supply and drain pipes 29 and 30 extending longitudinally of theapparatus connect all reels IS on the same side of the machine. An enclosure 32 surround each reel l9 access to the reel for threading up, inspectionand the like being provided by a door 33 hinged to enclosure 32.

From the drying reels, threads (1 next pass to collecting means. It is advantageous to combine a twisting operation with the collecting stepand to this end a conventional cap twister mechanism 34 may be employed. In the cap twister mechanism illustrated in the drawings, bobbin 35 is reciprocated within cap 31, which is. mounted on the upper end of a stationary spindle 36. At the same time, bobbin 35 is rotated at a high speed by whirl 38. Any suitable means may be employed to actuate the cap twister mechanism, but that indicated generally by referenc character 39, which actuating means are of the type shown in Bergmann et al. Patent 2 .,2il3,6fi5.

has been found to be particularly satisfactory.

, Since the apparatus is of considerable height, it is convenient to divide the machine by platforms 53 and 53 into three operating levels. The uppermost level advantageously includes all that portion of the apparatus devoted to the productionof the thread; that is to say, the spinning section. The intermediate level provides access to the processing section of the machine. The drying, twisting and collecting oper- Beams 54, secured to uprights 55 which are in turn fixed to supporting frames 48 of the machine structure, serve to carry platforms 53. 1

Similar platforms 56 are provided at the intermediate level to afford access to processing reels H to I8, inclusive. Platforms 55 are supported by spaced horizontal beams 51 fixed at one end thereof to uprights 58 secured by brackets 59 to supporting frames 48. Suitable uprights may be provided to support the other end of beams 51 and platforms or, if preferred, similar members 58 and 59 associated with adjacent machines (not shown) on opposite sides of that illustrated may be employed to carry the other end of said platforms 58 and beams 51, thereby providing communication-between adjacent maframe 48. Uprights 82 also support an upper longitudinally extending track 63 on each side of the machine.v A similar lower track 84 is mounted upon apron- 85 extending along each, side of spin trough I. Upper and lower-tracks j 83 and, 84 respectively cooperate to serve a supporting means for sliding doors 66 and ill.

Doors 66 and 61, which overlap in the-man- -ner indicated in Figure 1, provide the operator or operators working on platform'53 with access to spinnerets 5, spin trough I, reels ill and other associated apparatus. After the leading end of the thread a has been manually withdrawn from bath 6, passed through guide means some suitable device, such as an exhaust fan, for

maintaining a negative pressure in the system. Extending longitudinally of plate 69 and disposed directly above reels lll are slots 12 which vary in width from one end of the duct to the other, being narrowest near the exhaust end and widest toward the opposite end thereof. Vapors from bath 6' and reels l0 enter slots .12 and are carried away to a. suitable stack (not shown).

The space 20 between the oppositely extending banks of reels II to l9, inclusive, is substantially completely enclosed for the purpose of preventing entrance therelnto of any vapors developed by the processing operations. End panel 13 and a like panel on the opposite end of the apparatus serve to close oil the ends of the machine while the back portions of collecting troughs 25 and the rear walls of enclosures 32 housing drying reels l9 form the side walls of space Ml. Flooring 14 and walls 15 complete the enclosure bounding space 20. A door 16 may be provided in one of the end panels 13' to provide access to the interior of the apparatus.

Ventilating ducts 11 disposed beneath platform 53 and extending the entire length of each side of the machine are associated with the intermediate level of the apparatus, from which they remove vapors generated in the vicinity of reels II to l8, inclusive. slot 18, the width of which is adjustable in the manner shown, extends the full length of duct l'l. By means of suitable connections 19 and 80, ducts 11 are'tied into a common riser 82 which, through the main exhaust duct, maintains a negative pressurein ducts H. In this manner is created an upward current of air across the two oppositely extending banks of reels II to l8, inclusive, thus carrying the vapors through slots 18 into ducts ll.

Ducts I! are of varying width as indicated by side walls 83, 84, 85, the widest portions being adjacent the discharge ends thereof.

For the purpose of removing moist air from the enclosures 32 surrounding drying reels l9, a duct BGextends longitudinally of and on each side of the apparatus to the rea of twisters 34. Through a series 01' suitable cross connections 81 and riser 83, ducts 86 connect to riser 82. As a result of the negative pressure maintained in duct 86, an air current is set up drawing air through louvres 39 in doors 33 of enclosures 32. Within enclosures 32 are air intaken means 90 registering with openings 32 in the floors of the respective enclosures 32,. such openings- 92 communicating with duct 86. I

Suitable dampers controltheflow of air in the several ducts and risers. Dampers 93 and 94 in connections 19 and 80, respectively, and dampers 95. and 96 in risers 82 and 80, respectively, "are provided for this purpose. A detailed description of the construction and mode of operation of ducts 08, 11, 86, together with their associated risers, cross connections, dampers, etc., is contained in .oopending application Serial No.

309,834, filed December 18, 1939, by Richard F.-

Bergmann.

The present invention involves the further provision in apparatus of the character described of means adapted to supply a constant flow of fresh air over each of the working. faces of the machine. Emcient operation of the apparatus as a whole is achieved by introducing the fresh air spills downward over the edges of the platforms to processing reels II to I8, inclusive.

That'portion of the fresh air supply passing through opening I08 is directed outward and downward toward the floor level, mingling with that portion of the air from opening I01 which,

' as previously explained, spills over the edges of supply at a point substantially directly above the machine itself. The means to accomplish this purpose may taken any of several suitable forms. but that shown in the accompanying drawings is one which has been found to be particularly-advantageous.

In this embodiment of the invention, supply duct 91 carrying the fresh air supply is mounted atop hood 60, being supported thereabove by cross members 98in such manner as to provide a space 99 for insulation. Supply duct 91 extends from one end to the other of hood 60. To one end of supply duct 91 is connected a riser I and duct I02 the latter of which communicates with a- ,the air leaving supply duct 91 through outlet I04 strikes bafiies I05 and is diverted through open-- ing I01 below annular member I06. The remaining portion passes to one side or the other of baiiles I05, escaping through opening I08 of outlet I04 between annular member I06 and dome I09.

Suspended in the interior of supply duct- 91 immediately below eachport I I 0 is a deflector I I3. Deflectors II3, each of which comprises a plurality of curved horizontal vane members II I arranged in parallel relation, are disposed in each case at an angle to top I03 of supply duct 91,

' being secured thereto by means of hinged mounting I I1. Curved .vane members H4 are positioned with their concave surfaces facing into the flow of ai through supply duct 91. Depending upon the degree of angularity with which deflector I.;I3 is mounted with respect to supply duct 9 more or less of the air passing therethrough will strike curved vane members I I4 and be diverted toward outlet I 04. Deflectors II3 are preferably adjustedso as to cause equal quantities of air to pass through outlets I 04.

Experimentation has shown that a distribution of the air passing through each of outlets I04 according to which approximately to 50% of the total is diverted through opening I01 with the balance discharged at opening I08 provides satisfactory operatingconditions. With this distribution,air passing through opening I01 flows down over arched top I03, the external surface of hood 60, and doors 66 and 61 to platforms 53, thus continually supplying fresh air to the operator or operators attending the spinning section of the machines. Afte reaching platforms 53, the air supplied to the various stages of the apparatus.

platforms 53. Part of this air finds its way through louvres 89 in door 33 to enclosure 32 surrounding drying reel I9. The remainde of the air supply from opening I08 flows upward in the form of a blanket across the operating face of the machine; 1. e., the section including processing reels I I to I8, inclusive, passing thence into ducts 11. Air thus passing into ducts 11 is filtered, purified and returned to supply duct 91 for re-use.

-In this manner a constant flow of fresh air is The apparatus hereinabove described is illustrative of the principles of the invention. It may,v

however, be modified extensively without departing from the inventive concept. Outlets I00 in supply duct 91 may, for example, take the form of a series of vents or louvres located in the sides of said duct rather than on top of it without in any way affecting the operation of the apparatus.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the amended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of maintaining a constant flow of fresh air acrossthe operating face of threadprocessing apparatus characterized by a plurality of operating levels comprising the steps of providing a constant supply of fresh air, discharging the air substantially directly above the uppermost operating level of the apparatus, dis tributing at least a portion of the supply of fresh air to each of the several operating levelscomprising the apparatus, and withdrawing air at each of the several operating levels.

2. The method of maintaining a constant flow of fresh air across the operating face of threadprocessing apparatus characterized bya plurality of operating levels and withdrawing means associated with each level comprising the steps of providing a constant supply of fresh air, discharging the air substantially directly'above the apparatus, apportioning the fresh air supply to each of the several operating levels, directing each allotted portion of the supply of fresh air downwardly over one of the operating levels comprising the apparatus, and withdrawing air at each of the several operating levels.

3. Ventilating means for thread-processing apparatus characterized by a plurality of operating levels comprising a supply duct mounted on top of the apparatus providing a constant supply of fresh air; means in said supply duct operating to discharge therefrom at least a portion of the air passing therethrough; and means associated with said discharge means for apportioning the air belevels for removing vapors developed in the various operations performed on the apparatus.

5. Ventilating means for a thread-processing apparatus characterized by a plurality of operating levels comprising a supply duct extending longitudinally of the apparatus as a whole and mounted on top of the apparatus providing a constant supply of fresh air; means in said supply duct operating to discharge therefrom at least a portion of the air passing therethrough; and means associated with said discharge means for apportioning the air between the several opq aseaoas 8. The method of ventilating thread-processing apparatus characterized by one or more operating levels comprising introducing a supply of fresh air at a point on the apparatus above the uppermost operating level, discharging at least a portion of the air supply at each of a plurality of spaced points along the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, and withdrawing air from said uppermost operating level whereby a constant flow of .fresh air is maintained in the form of a blanket extending along the uppermost operating level from one end of the apparatus to the other.

9. Ventilating means for continuous processing apparatus characterized by a plurality of operating levels comprising a supply .duct mounted upon the uppermost portion of the structure providing a constant supply of fresh air; a plurality of exhaust ports disposed in spaced relation in i one wall of said supply duct; deflecting means treating operations, whereby a constant flow of fresh air. is maintained across the entire operating face of theapparatus.

7. Ventilating means for continuous processing apparatus characterized by a plurality of operating levels comprising a supply duct mounted upon the uppermost portion of the structure providing a constant supply of fresh air; a plurality of discharge means disposed in said supply duct and arranged at spaced intervals along'the longitudinal axis thereof, eachiof said discharge means operating to dischargepart of the air passing through said supply duct and to distribute it to the several operating levels of the apparatus; and means associatedwith each of said operating levels for removing vapors resulting from the treating operations.

disposed within said supply duct adjacent each of said exhaust ports for directing part of the air passing through said supply duct through said exhaust ports; and discharge means disposed exteriorly of said supply duct registering with said exhaust ports for diverting'portions of the air supply emerging from said exhaust ports to the several operating'levels of the apparatus.

10. Ventilating means of the character described in claim 9 in which means are provided for adjusting the deflecting means so that a substantially equal flow of air passes through each of said exhaust ports.

11. Ventilating means of the character described in claim 9 in which means are provided for controlling the output of each of the discharge means so that from 35 to of the air passing through said discharge means is diverted directly downward over the uppermost operating level.

LOUIS S. FRYER. RICHARD F. BERGMANN. 

